tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-194520972024-03-28T23:27:40.048-04:00Habakkuk's WatchtowerThis is the blog of Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr. It contains his sermons and other musings.Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.comBlogger2537125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-55851698424383913552024-03-28T14:04:00.004-04:002024-03-28T14:04:58.385-04:00"The Lord's Supper" Sermon: I Corinthians 11:23-26 (video)<p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdMkonfrFq0">"The Lord's Supper" Sermon: I Corinthians 11:23-26 (video) (youtube.com)</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-38957712686502317542024-03-28T13:37:00.003-04:002024-03-28T13:37:20.184-04:00"The Lord's Supper" Sermon: I Corinthians 11:23-26 (manuscript)<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“The
Lord’s Supper”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">[1
Corinthians 11:23-26]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">April
18, 2019, Second Reformed Church<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">March
28, 2024, YouTube, Second Reformed Church<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We
turn to a familiar passage this Maundy Thursday – the institution of the Lord’s
Supper – words that we hear every Sunday in this church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s consider for a few moments what the
Lord’s Supper is.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">First,
the Lord’s Supper is the fulfillment of the Passover meal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We
read in the Gospel of Mark:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,
his disciples said to him, ‘Where will you have us go and prepare for you to
eat the Passover?’ And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, ‘Go into
the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and
wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, “The Teacher says, Where is
my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” And he will
show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.’ And the
disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them,
and they prepared the Passover” (Mark 14:12-16, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was that Thursday night before
Easter – the day before the crucifixion – that Jesus and His disciples gather
in the upper room to celebrate the Passover with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the first day of Unleavened Bread –
the first day of the Passover – in remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt when
Israel prepared bread quickly for her escape – without leaven to make it rise –
that they gathered together – after Jesus gives the disciples instructions not
unlike the instructions that He gave them prior to the Triumphal Entry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Jesus turns to the elements of
the Passover – the lamb, the cup of wine, and the matzo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus does not say anything about the lamb at
this point, but the bread He calls His body and the cup He calls the new
covenant in His blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so, Jesus
tells them that, as they celebrate in the future, they do so seeing the
elements of remembrance of their deliverance from Egypt as the elements of
their deliverance by Jesus in the new covenant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whereas they understood the bread and the cup as looking back to the
time when they had to move quickly in the escape won by God from the Egyptians,
now they would receive the bread and the cup remembering that the body and
blood of Jesus join us together in the new covenant and delivers us in another
way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, the Passover represents the
reality of our move from darkness into light.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Moses
spoke to Israel about the Passover:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You
shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever. And
when you come to the land that the LORD will give you, as he has promised, you
shall keep this service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when your
children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ you shall say, ‘It is
the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, for he passed over the houses of the
people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’
And the people bowed their heads and worshiped” (Exodus 12:24-27, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notice, God instructs Israel
through Moses that this will be an eternal rite – an eternal sacrament – for
all of Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that when the
children – who did not suffer in Egypt or go through the wilderness, but were
born in the Promised Land, ask what the sacrament means – forever and ever –
Israel shall answer, “It is the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, for he passed
over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians
but spared our houses.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord did not just pass over the
houses of those who left Egypt, or the parents of the children born in the
Promised Land, but of everyone of Israel for whom the deliverance is given.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are we to understand this
deliverance applied to those over three thousand years ago and as a member of
the Israel of God today?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul writes, “And so, from the day
we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled
with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the
knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious
might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father,
who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He
has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom
of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”
(Colossians 1:9-14, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a parallel way to God delivering
Israel from slavery in Egypt into the Promised Land – which is received by all
true Israel, so God has delivered all those who will ever believe in Jesus from
slavery to sin in the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His Beloved Son,
in Whom we are redeemed to God and forgiven for all of our sins by God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third, Jesus is the Passover Lamb.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the history of the Exodus, we
read:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Then
Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, ‘Go and select lambs
for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb. Take a
bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the
lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you
shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. For the LORD will pass
through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and
on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the
destroyer to enter your houses to strike you’” (Exodus 12:21-23, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Paul
tells us, “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really
are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (I
Corinthians 5:7, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Using
the Passover imagery of unleavened bread and the Passover lamb, Paul tells us
that Jesus is, Himself, the Passover Lamb, Who was slaughtered to saved us and
deliver us from our slavery to sin, and from being condemned to eternal
suffering, even as His blood covers us, as the lamb’s blood covered the lintels
and doorposts of Israel in Egypt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
author of Hebrews also explains, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the
city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in
festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in
heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made
perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled
blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:22-24,
ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">So, Jesus takes the place
of the Passover Lamb in being sacrificed for us and it is through the sprinkled
blood – now not just over the door, but over us – that we are cleansed and
delivered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
we quickly consider the question, then, if we are eating the bread and drinking
the cup, are we eating and drinking Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A number of traditions say “yes” based on Jesus saying, “This is my
body.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Here’s
the problem – and the reason we answer “no” – Jesus has a completely human
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order for Jesus’ body to be
literally eaten for two thousand years, His body could not be that of a real
human being, His body would have to be superhuman or divinized, which would
mean we do not have a human representative before God on our behalf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we must have a real human being
representing us before God, because only a real human being can take the place
of a real human being as Jesus did for us in keeping the Law and paying our
debt for sin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">What,
then, do we understand about the Lord’s Supper?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Paul
explains to the Corinthians, “For I received from the Lord what I also
delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took
bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body,
which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took
the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do
this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat
this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Paul
tells us that as we receive the Lord’s Supper, three things occur:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We
remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We remember that God sent His
Son to become a human to live a perfect life under the Law of God and then die
taking on the sins of everyone who will ever believe in Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We remember that something historical
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is that historical
event, concerning a historical Person, through Whom we receive salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We
commune.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We commune with Jesus
spiritually as those who have become members of the new covenant through
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lived for us and lives in us
and sends (with God the Father) God the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us
and change us, transforming us into to Image of Jesus that we will perfectly
bear when we are glorified and received into the Kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Therefore,
we hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope as we receive the
elements – proclaiming the Gospel – this historical thing that God the Son did,
Incarnate in the person of Jesus, through Whom we now live and hope for the
coming Kingdom – the banishment of sin and death and the devil, and the
reconciliation of the Creation and each one who ever believes, that we will
assuredly enter a Kingdom far greater than the Garden of Eden because sin is
excluded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will walk with God in the
world and have joy inexpressible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
so, the Lord’s Supper is not an “add-on” to the worship service, but the
fulfillment of the Passover, a visual representation of the Gospel – our moving
from slavery in the kingdom of sin to the Kingdom of God’s Beloved Son, and the
understanding of Jesus as our Passover Lamb.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Let
us remember, and commune, and have hope with all assurance through this
sacrament that Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Let
us pray:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Almighty
God, help us to receive the elements of the Lord’s Supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep us from considering it a snack or an
“add-on” to worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help us to see the
importance of its place by the Word and in our worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grant us fuller assurance of salvation as we
receive the bread and the cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For it is
in Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-53261165587735440952024-03-28T09:32:00.001-04:002024-03-28T09:32:08.427-04:00"Has to Be" Sermon: Luke 19:28-40 (video)<p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrCENPjDRfU">"Has to Be" Sermon: Luke 19:28-40 (youtube.com)</a></p><p><br /></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-1337262550273621342024-03-26T08:13:00.000-04:002024-03-26T08:13:14.626-04:00"Has to Be" Sermon: Luke 19:28-40 (manuscript)<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Has
to Be”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">[Luke
19:28-40]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">April
14, 2019 Second Reformed Church<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">March
24, 2024 YouTube<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was thirty years old when He
left His father’s carpentry shop and went to the Jordan River to be baptized by
His cousin, John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there, He spent
three years teaching people all around His homeland – explaining what God has
truly said, and when John the Baptist asked if Jesus is the promised Savior,
Jesus said, “And he answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you have seen and
heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and
the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to
them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me’” (Luke 7:22-23, ESV). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just before this, we read, “And
[Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom,
he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was
given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,
‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good
news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to
proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“’And he rolled up the scroll and
gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the
synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “’“Today this
Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”’” (Luke 4: 16-21, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Jesus is God the Savior, then it
has to be true that Jesus fulfills all of the prophecies about the promised
Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Jesus does not fulfill all of
the prophesies or does something against one of the prophecies, then He cannot
be the Savior.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first text is from Isaiah 29
and 35.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second text is from Isaiah
61.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus tells the crowd and John’s
disciples, “I have fulfilled this prophecy – this text – which has to be
fulfilled by the Savior; Yes, I am the Savior.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Three
years later, we have this morning’s text, and we see:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">First,
Jesus has to ride into Jerusalem on a colt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he
drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent
two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village in front of you, where on
entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it
and bring it here. If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” you shall say
this: “The Lord has need of it.”’” So those who were sent went away and found
it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said
to them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ And they said, ‘The Lord has need of
it.’ And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they
set Jesus on it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Why?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
walked here there and everywhere, around and around Israel, and now that He’s a
mile and a half outside of Jerusalem, He says, “No further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to ride a colt for the rest of the
trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go into town and take one and just
say ‘The Lord needs it.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Why?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Because
it has to be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Zechariah
prophecies, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of
Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation
is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey”
(Zechariah 9:9, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It
is prophesied that the Savior will come into Jerusalem in this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Savior will ride a colt into Jerusalem as
a sign that this is the Savior God sent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And so, just as He was born in a borrowed bed, He rode into Jerusalem on
a borrowed colt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the biblically
literate world in which He lived knew He was telling them – in this act – that
He is God the Savior.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Some
of the people understood what Jesus was doing and cried out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second, Jesus has to be praised as
God and King.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing
near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his
disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty
works that they had seen, saying, ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of
the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Many
in the crowd cry out, and what they cry out is not accidental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They understand Jesus’ fulfillment of the
prophecy of Zechariah, and thy respond by quoting prophecy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Psalm
118 ends:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Save
us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Blessed
is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the
LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“The
LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal
sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“You
are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh
give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures
forever!” (Psalm 118:25-29, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Hosanna,”
as we read in the other gospels, means, “Save us, we pray.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Knowing that what they
say is from this Psalm, and this Psalm is directed towards God and God Alone,
we can conclude that these people recognized – on some level, anyway, that
Jesus is God the Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is unlikely
that they understood the fullness of what this means – even the apostles didn’t
understand until after the resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Third,
Jesus has to receive the crowd’s praise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, rebuke your
disciples.’ He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones
would cry out.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Some
of Pharisees aren’t upset because what the crowd was saying is untrue – some of
them don’t care whether it is true or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The issue for them is that Jesus’ popularity with the people is taking
power and authority away from them because the people are looking to Jesus for
His interpretation – His teaching on the Law and the Prophets, and they are
questioning what the Pharisees are teaching.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Others
of the Pharisees are upset because they don’t believe it is true – which is why
the word “rebuke” is used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people
were calling Jesus God, and that is blasphemy (if it isn’t true), so they
called on Jesus to rebuke them – to deny that He is God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">But
Jesus tells them it has to be – they know that He is God and Savior, so they
have to call out and praise Him and ask for His salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even so, if they were silenced – the stones
on the ground would cry out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">What?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
wasn’t saying that the actual rocks would cry out praising Him and identifying
Him as God the Savior, is He?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Maybe
He meant that the most stubborn of His disciples would refuse to stop praising
Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe He meant that the lowest of
the low would not listen to any authority, but would continue to cry out what
they had heard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Or,
maybe Jesus meant the rocks would cry out…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
Psalmist tells us it is the right duty of all creation, not just humans, to
praise God for Who He is.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Praise
the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Praise
him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Praise him, sun and moon, praise
him, all you shining stars!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Praise
him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Let
them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass
away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Praise the LORD from the earth, you
great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, “snow and mist, stormy wind
fulfilling his word!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mountains and all hills, fruit trees
and all cedars!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Beasts
and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Kings
of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Young
men and maidens together, old men and children!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let them praise the name of the
LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is “above earth and heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“He
has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people
of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 148:1-14, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">All
of Creation praises the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of
Creation glorifies God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of Creation
shows God to be Who He is and He will be praised for Who He is and what He has
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Creation recognizes Jesus for
Who He is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, He has to be praised.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When
Jesus was crucified, the sun went dark, the earth quaked, rocks split, and many
of the dead saints were raised and came into the city – why do we doubt that
the stones on the road to Jerusalem would not cry out that this is Jesus, God
in the flesh, the promised Savior?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In
order for Jesus to be our Savior, everything that is prophesied about Him had
to come to pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has to be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">If
we believe the Bible is the Word of God, it has to be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Let
us pray:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Almighty
God. You have given us Your Word and the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit, and
we ask that we would read Your Word and hear Your Word and receive Your Word as
the Holy Spirit helps us – that we would respond rightly, with joy, in
obedience, and to Your Glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Jesus’
Name, Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-13903351323159894512024-03-17T07:32:00.003-04:002024-03-17T07:32:44.658-04:00"Prayers and Trumpets" Sermon: Revelation 8:1-13 (video)<p> </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU0rLtvtLNM">"Prayers and Trumpets" Sermon: Revelation 8:1-13 (video) (youtube.com)</a></p><p><br /></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-20974063065491631802024-03-17T06:26:00.002-04:002024-03-17T06:26:45.431-04:00"Prayers and Trumpets" Sermon: Revelation 8:1-13 (manuscript)<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Prayers
and Trumpets<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Revelation
8:1-13<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">March
17. 2024 YouTube<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In chapter seven of the book of Revelation, there is a rest
or an interlude, between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During this pause, we saw that the Church
from the Garden through the Great Tribulation is at war with evil, and, as the followers
of Jesus, we suffer tribulation, suffering, of various kinds and degrees until
Jesus returns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Church is the Church
militant – fighting against the evil in the world until Jesus returns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When He does return, His Wrath is against the
wicked, and He makes the Church, the Church Triumphant – the Church Victorious
– through the Work of Jesus – glorified and brought into the restored Creation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Remember this is a book of hope and comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the truth that there will be
suffering for believers on the earth now, we will be delivered into the Kingdom
of Jesus where there will never be suffering again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We open chapter eight in silence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence
in heaven for about half an hour.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Silence is normally associated with judgement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We saw what the Church is now – fighting against evil in
the world, and we saw what the Church will be in the restored Creation –
glorified in the Kingdom with Jesus. We will soon see the judgement of God on
the wicked of the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the final
judgement, but the judgement that comes as the Church fights against evil in
the Name of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And we notice that the seventh seal of the scroll is the
first trumpet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, Lord willing, we
will see that the seventh trumpet is the first woe. There is an overlapping of
what is being said in these images.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But first, John sees what happens when the saints pray –
when believers – the Church – prays.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Then
I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to
them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We
have seen that the number seven signifies perfection and completion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does it mean here? Perhaps seven angels
and seven trumpets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Who
are the seven angels?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t know for
sure, but there is a distinction here between these angels and the other
angels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These may be archangels. Only
two archangels are named in the Bible:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Michael and Gabriel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Trumpets
are most often understood to signify the call to war against the wicked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was
given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden
altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the
saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We
will remember we are told in Revelation 5, “And when he had taken the scroll,
the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb,
each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of
the saints” (Revelation 5:8, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Another
angel, not one of the seven, is given a censer – a device to burn incense – we
may be familiar with the censor used in the Roman Catholic Church in which
incense is burned. And the smoke of the burning incense is or symbolizes the
prayers of the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The prayers of
the people have a pleasant smell and God receives them – symbolically – through
His nose.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Quickly,
we should ask ourselves, what does prayer do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why does God care if we pray?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Does prayer inform God of something He doesn’t know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, if God is Sovereign, our prayer do not
inform God of anything, nor do they cause God to do anything. So, what is the
point of praying?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We
pray so we will become more alike with the Mind and Will of God. And somehow, God
uses our prayers to carry out His Eternal decrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayer is the means by which God accomplishes
His Purpose on earth. The incense of our prayers is pleasing to God as we pray
what God wants for us and the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Do
you pray? Do you thank God for Who He is and what He has done for you? Do you
pray that you would be kept from sin and empowered to do all that God requires
of you? Do you pray for those you love and for those you hate? Consider what
prayer is for, and please God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As
another angel comes before God and burns the incense, which is the prayers of
the saints, God receives those prayers as a sweet smell and God brings them to
pass as He has willed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we pray
righteously, God will be delighted in our prayer and answer what we have prayed
– which is according to His Will.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This
other angel is either Christ or a representative of Christ who is given the
right to burn the incense before God. However, we require intercession between
our prayer and God – especially when we don’t know how or what to pray.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">If
we want to pray and we know we should pray, but we don’t have the right words
to pray, the Holy Spirit will assist us and make our payers clear and
acceptable to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul writes, “Likewise
the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we
ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for
words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because
the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans
8:26-27, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Let
us notice that the angel does not act until the saints pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The angel waits for the prayers of the saints
before he presents the incense – which are the prayers of the saints – to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that may sound obvious – the angel
doesn‘t present our prays to God until we pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But it does show that God uses our prayers to accomplish His Will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that God cannot act without our praying,
but God chooses to act and accomplish His Will as we pray for what He wants.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When
we pray for the overthrow of the wicked, God will overthrow the wicked
according to the plan He has forever planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And so, we read:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“<a name="_Hlk161487133">Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire
from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder,
rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.”</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This
is the warning of the Wrath of God against the wicked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the warning that God is a Holy God and
will not tolerate sin in His Presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It must be done away with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
cannot stand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
imagery John is seeing is what was seen in the history of the people of
Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
they arrived at Mount Sinai for Moses to receive the Ten Commandments, we read:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“On
the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightnings and a thick cloud
on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the
camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and
they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped
in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up
like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the
sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him
in thunder. The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And
the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up” (Exodus
19:16-20, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As
“the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it
on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning,
and an earthquake.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The angel took the censer that gave forth the aroma of the
prayers of the saints and cast down fire from the altar of incense causing a
reaction like that on Mount Sinai when God came down upon it to tell the wicked
that God is coming with power and wrath against the wicked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Church of God will be brought into the
Glory of God, but the wicked will suffer at the Hand of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The prayers of the saints will turn the world
upside down, and God will hear them as they ask for what He desires, and He
will bring it to pass.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It has begun and will continue until the lats day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we read, “And when they could not find
them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities,
shouting, ‘These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of
Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus’” (Acts 17:6-7, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Now
the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail
and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third
of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all
green grass was burned up.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This parallels the seventh plague brought down upon the
Egyptians.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Then
Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and
hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the LORD rained hail upon the land of
Egypt. There was hail and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail,
very heavy hail, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it
became a nation. The hail struck down everything that was in the field in all
the land of Egypt, both man and beast. And the hail struck down every plant of
the field and broke every tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where
the people of Israel were, was there no hail” (Exodus 9:23-26, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“The
second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning
with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. A
third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were
destroyed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Of
the first plague, we read:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Moses
and Aaron did as the LORD commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight
of his servants he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and
all the water in the Nile turned into blood. And the fish in the Nile died, and
the Nile stank, so that the Egyptians could not drink water from the Nile.
There was blood throughout all the land of Egypt (Exodus 7:20-21, ESV).”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“The
third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a
torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The
name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many
people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
name, “Wormwood,” is interpreted as “bitter,” and here it is of such a
bitterness that it is poisonous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jeremiah gives God’s threat of this: “Therefore thus says the LORD of
hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will feed this people with bitter food, and
give them poisonous water to drink” (Jeremiah 9:15, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It
can also be associated with the first plague of Egypt when the Nile was poisoned
with dead fish and blood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“The
fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third
of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be
darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a
third of the night.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Of
the ninth plague we read:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Then
the LORD said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be
darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt.’ So Moses stretched out
his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt
three days. They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place
for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived”
(Exodus 10:21-23, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Just as Israel who lived in Goshen in Egypt were spared
from the plagues that God brought upon Egypt, God allows us – along with the
wicked – to hear the warnings of the trumpets, but God allows us to go on
through His patience and the Work of His Son – the Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our great prayer is for the coming of the
Kingdom – that we – through the Holy Spirit – will be victorious over the world
and its evil – and we will according to the promise of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud
voice as it flew directly overhead, ‘Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the
earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to
blow!’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The word “eagle” can be translated “vulture.” He flew
directly overhead – viewing those who die as the trumpets are blown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They become carrion – food for the eagle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We will remember that emphasis is shown through repetition
– three times being the greatest emphasis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, the woes about to befall the wicked are the worst that can be imagined.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Remember this is a book of comfort and hope for the
Christians suffering persecution at the time John was writing and throughout
all time and space until Jesus returns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What we see is that God hears our prayer and causes us to become more
like Him in heart and mind and will through them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God works through our prayers to carry out
His Will for us and against the wicked – those who never believe in Jesus
savingly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As Christians suffered and suffer at the hands of the wicked,
God tells John and us, that the Church will be delivered into Glory, and the
wicked will suffer a horrible judgment beyond comprehension.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let us pray:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Almighty God, comfort us that You will deliver us in these
days as You delivered Israel from Egypt and through the Sinai. Strengthen the
hope You assure us of – that You are bringing all of Your people into the
fulness of the Kingdom – though we will suffer for Christ’s sake to one degree
or another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help us to pray that we
would be more like You.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help us not to
fear but to be in awe of the horror You will bring against the wicked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Jesus’ Name, Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-12250419347030721602024-03-12T08:31:00.001-04:002024-03-12T08:31:07.988-04:00"Militant and Triumphant" Sermon: Revelation 7:1-17 (video)<p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHYzkwVVdjs">"Militant and Triumphant" Sermon: Revelation 7:1-17 (video) (youtube.com)</a></p><p><br /></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-68952450647646140412024-03-12T07:57:00.002-04:002024-03-12T07:57:19.947-04:00"Militant and Triumphant" Sermon: Revelation 7:1-17 (manuscript)<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Militant
and Triumphant”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Revelation
7:1-17 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">March
10, 2024 YouTube<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Between Jesus opening the sixth and seventh seal, we have the
interlude of chapter seven of the book of Revelation in which we are given a
picture of the Church militant (during the tribulation) and the Church
triumphant (in the Kingdom.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We begin with the description of the Church militant –
during the tribulation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners
of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow
on earth or sea or against any tree.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The number four symbolizes order, stability,<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>and the perfection of Creation. We see there
are four Gospels, four angels (here), the four corners of the earth, the four
winds of the earth – the perfect completion – the entirety of the earth, the entirety
of the wind, the perfect perfection and knowledge of the Gospels – the Good
News of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
four angels are keeping the wind from blowing on the earth. They are holding
back the full Judgment of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not
time for the full Wrath of God to descend upon those who never believe savingly
in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are told to wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t do anything until God says to.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Then
I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the
living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been
given power to harm earth and sea, saying, ‘Do not harm the earth or the sea or
the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This
other angel is Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the
Sovereign Who has the seal of the living God on Him, Who has Sovereign
Authority over all of the angels. The four angels are told to wait until all of
the servants of God have been sealed with the seal of God on their foreheads.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">What
is the seal of God?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
tells John that the number of the sealed, who, apparently, will escape God’s Wrath
is 144,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about those who believe
savingly in Jesus after the 144,000 believe? The Jehovah’s Witnesses take this
number literally and find other places than the Kingdom to store all of those
who believe after the first 144,000.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">What
is John told?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons
of Israel:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>12,000 from the tribe of Gad,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>12,000 from the tribe of Asher,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>12,000 from the tribe of Levi,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The first thing to notice is that the tribes listed are not
the twelve tribes of Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few of
them have been changed out with the names of relatives of the original persons who
made up the actual twelve tribes of Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are reasons for why this is, but we will not get into that this
morning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Instead, let us think about the numbers 144,000 and 12,000.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We will remember in chapter four we saw John records there
being twenty-four thrones around the throne of God, and we determined that the
twenty-four thrones are symbolic of the twelve sons of Abraham – the twelve
tribes of Israel – <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>plus the twenty
apostles. Twelve plus twelve equals twenty-four.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If we multiplied the two twelves instead, we get 144.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is one more step here to understand: this section is
about the Church militant – the Church fighting against the wicked during the
tribulation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we need to know is –
at that time – a military unit consisted of 1,000 men.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>144 times 1,000 equals 144,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Take a moment and let that sink in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The people of John’s day would understand this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jehovah’s Witnesses, and any who take
this number literally, are wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking
the number 144,000 literally just makes no sense. That would be to say there
are only 144,000 people saved by the work of Jesus. No, they would have
understood that Jesus was confirming what Paul wrote:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“But
it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended
from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they
are his offspring, but ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ This
means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but
the children of the promise are counted as offspring” (Romans 9:6-8, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
believers of national Israel and the believers of the New Testament make up the
Israel of God. This is the fulness of God’s covenant people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 144,000 are symbolic of all the true
believers who will fight during the tribulation for the truth of the Gospel –
those who have been sealed by God. And, as Paul writes to Timothy, “Indeed, all
who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil
people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived”
(II Timothy 3:12-13, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">What
does it mean to be sealed?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Hear
what Paul tells the Ephesians: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of
redemption” (Ephesians 4:30, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Believers
are sealed on the head by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – not a physical
seal, but a spiritual seal given by – and of – the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Ezekiel records:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Now
the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub on which it rested
to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed in linen, who
had the writing case at his waist. And the LORD said to him, ‘Pass through the
city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh
and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.” (Ezekiel 9:3.4 ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In biblical symbolism, it is the place of authority and
power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believers are symbolically sealed
on the head with and of the Holy Spirit so we can understand the Word of God
and so we have the authority and power to carry it out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All those who are sealed by the Holy Spirit have security
of not losing the salvation God has given us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have the identification of being Christians because we suffer for
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have the authority We have the
confirmation that we will receive our inheritance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Peter
writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to
his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is
imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s
power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in
the last time” (I Peter 1:3-5, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Church militant is every believer throughout time and
space who fights against the wicked during the tribulation and to its great end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of these believers will witness salvation
only in Jesus, against the wicked who never believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And every believer will suffer persecution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All we who been sealed and empowered by the Holy Spirit
will fight and be persecuted to one degree of another. Yet, we have the sure
promise of victory in Jesus because He Alone is salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now, John sees the Church Triumphant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“After
this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from
every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the
throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their
hands,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It
is not 144,000 that John sees now, but a great multitude that no one can number
standing before the throne and the Lamb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And, as we came to understand, the 144,000 are more than national
Israel, but all those who believe in Jesus for salvation from the beginning
until Jesus brings the Kingdom in all its fullness and brings in the Church triumphant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This
is the promise given to Abraham:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, ‘By
myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not
withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely
multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the
seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your
offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have
obeyed my voice” (Genesis 22:15-18, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
Church militant becomes the Church triumphant through Jesus by the Holy Spirit
from every nation, people, tribe, and language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There will be people of every type throughout time and space in the
Church triumphant – in the Kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is no type of person in all of time and space that will not be present
in the Church triumphant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
they are wearing white robes – they have been purified by God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they wave palm branches – the symbol of
victory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“and
crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the
throne, and to the Lamb!’ And all the angels were standing around the throne
and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their
faces before the throne and worshiped God, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>saying<a name="_Hlk160789798">, ‘Amen!
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be
to our God forever and ever! Amen.’”<o:p></o:p></a></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk160789798;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">They
cry out that salvation is the work and the gift of God and the Lamb. Not even
our bearing witness during the war from the beginning of the tribulation to its
great end merits anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as God
brought Israel through the wilderness, God has brough all of His people through
the wilderness – through the entire journey of His people – into the Kingdom,
where God has made the Church triumphant. He has brought us into His Glory
which is living in the presence of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
what is the only thing that makes sense to do when you are in the presence of
God and the Lamb? The angels fall on their faces, the elders fall on their
faces, the four living creatures fall on their faces, and you and I fall on our
faces, because all of Creation – including all believers – are overwhelmed with
being in the presences of the Almighty God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
we all cry out the praise of His Attributes, affirming, Amen and Amen – it is
now and forever will be. “’Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving
and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are
these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?’ I said to him, ‘Sir,
you know.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the ones coming out of the great
tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of
the Lamb.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Does this sound familiar?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The fifth seal:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“When
he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been
slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out
with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will
judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth’ Then they were each
given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their
fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as
they themselves had been” (Revelation 6:9-11, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What are we told in addition to what was revealed in the
fifth seal?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The white robes are washed by the believers in the Blood of
the Lamb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although salvation is wholly
of Jesus Alone, until we are received into the Church victorious – the Kingdom
– we have sins to confess that can only be forgiven through the Blood of the
Lamb.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him
day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them
with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun
shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the
throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living
water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These words are similar to a reading later in the book of
Revelation that is often read at a funeral. This is how things will be in the
Kingdom in all its fullness. This is Heaven on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the Church victorious bought and
sealed by the Lamb and the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What ought we take from the vision of the Church militant
and the Church triumphant?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>From the promise of God to Eve after the first sin to the
last day and the return of Christ, the Church will be as war with evil and the wickedness
of the world. As soldiers and witnesses to the salvation spoken and sealed in
us by the Holy Spirit, we are to proclaim the Gospel of salvation in Jesus
Alone, no matter what happens to us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As we look forward with the hope we are sealed and destined
for the Kingdom, we ought to find ourselves excited, looking forward to the day
when all will be restored, washed in the Blood of the Lamb.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now there is persecution with the knowledge that we are
forever sealed for Jesus’ sake.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After the tribulation is over – from now until then – we
look forward with ecstatic excitement to the triumph of the Church, being
brought into the fullness of the Kingdom, and the Glory of God forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let us pray:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Almighty God, keep us from despairing and being frightened
as we go through these militant days – as we proclaim the truth of the Gospel
to the Glory of God and in line with the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation.
Keep us set upon the work of the Triune God Who brings us into triumph and is
worthy of all glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-38691217836342103742024-02-27T08:31:00.002-05:002024-02-27T08:31:43.625-05:00"Persecuted" Sermon: Revelation 6:9-17 (video)<p> https://www.youtube.com/live/xJx3PnJkj9c</p><p><br /></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-26889137279243011582024-02-27T08:01:00.000-05:002024-02-27T08:01:07.473-05:00"Persecuted" Sermon: Revelation 6:9-17 (manuscript)<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Persecution”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Revelation
6:9-17<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">February
25, 2024 YouTube<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We saw last time that a scroll with seven seals is
presented, and the call went out for someone to open the seals of the scroll,
but there was no one on heaven or on earth or under the earth that was worthy
to open the seals of the scroll – except for the Lion of Judah Who is the slain
Lamb, resurrected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lamb took on
Himself the sin of His people, was slaughtered and died, and then rose from the
dead and ascended to the Right Hand of His Father in Heaven<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
Lamb was worthy by His life, death, resurrection, and ascension to open the
seven seals on the scroll, and we saw that the first four seals were the four
horsemen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first horsemen – on the
white horse – is Jesus – the Sovereign God and Lord and Savior Who brings all
thing to pass according to His will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
other three horsemen went out in obedience to the first horsemen. The red horse
brought persecution to the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
black horse brough extreme poverty, and the pale horse was allowed to kill
twenty-five percent of the world with sword, pestilence, famine, and with wild
beasts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This morning, we look at the fifth and sixth seals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“When
he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been
slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When
Jesus opens the fifth seal, John sees all the souls of the people who had been
slain – literally, butchered – for professing the Word of God and for
witnessing to the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are
the believers throughout time and space who were put to death for believing
that Jesus is God the Savior and that all the Word of God is true, and for witnessing
to it – for saying that it is all true and being willing to die for that belief
– to become martyrs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">That’s
fairly straight forward, but why were they under the altar?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
reader – or hearer – of this text would think of the burnt offerings prescribed
in the book of Leviticus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one telling
of the requirements of the burnt offering, we read, “Then the priest shall take
some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger and put it on the horns
of the altar of burnt offering and pour out the rest of its blood at the base
of the altar of burnt offering” (Leviticus 4:25, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When
the burnt offering was made, the animal being offered would be cut up and its
blood drained into a basin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flesh
and bones of the animals would be burnt up – symbolizing total dedication to
God and repentance for sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Likewise, the
blood was placed on the horns of the altar – symbolizing safety and strength,
and the rest of the blood would be poured out at the base of the altar
symbolizing the necessity of blood to free a person from the debt of sin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Paul
uses this imagery when he writes, “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink
offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice
with you all” (Philippians 2:17, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Again,
Paul writes, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the
time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished
the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown
of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that
day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (II
Timothy 4:6-8, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Yet,
we know that the blood of animals – and even those who die for believing the
Word of God and the Savior – that is not enough to pay the debt for our sin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“For
it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently,
when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have
not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin
offerings you have taken no pleasure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your
will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book’” (Hebrews 10:4-7,
ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">All
those who die as Christians – whatever persecution and death they suffer – will
be poured out as an offering under the altar – symbolizing their being an
acceptable offering to our Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
justified – righteous – believers under the altar – want to know how long.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy
and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who
dwell on the earth?’ Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a
little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers
should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The slaughtered Christians – the saints – under the altar –
ask the Holy, True, and Sovereign Lord – how long it will be until He judges
and avenges their blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us be
careful: the saints under the altar are not crying out for revenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The saints under the altar are not crying out
for revenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is important:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the saints under the altar are not crying out
for revenge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They are asking how long the slaughter of their brothers
and sisters will continue, because they want to see the Honor of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want to see the Glory of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want to see the Justice of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want to see the Mercy of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want to see the Majesty of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want to see the Holiness of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want to see the Sovereignty of Christ.
They want to see the Righteousness of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are not asking Him to right the wrongs done against them – the tribulation
they suffered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather, they are asking
how long it will be before He reveals His Attributes in all their fullness
against the evil in this fallen world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is not a matter of the saints seeking vengeance, but of seeing Who
God is in all of His fullness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After expressing their desire, God dresses them in white
robes – indicating that they are justified before God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has made them legally sinless before Him
– of course, through the work of Jesus. None of us has the right to seek our
own vengeance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are promised that we
will suffer tribulation, but we are justified through Jesus – our sins have
been paid for by Jesus, and we have been legally judged through Jesus as
justified.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Indeed,
all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” (II
Timothy 3:12, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We
ought to be aware and humble about suffering persecution for our belief and
witness to the Gospel of Jesus and the Word of God. Most of us have it so easy
right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we tell others about
salvation in Jesus – most of us will get laughed at, or get an angry response,
or something like that. But we won’t suffer as so many have throughout
Christianity – so many in most of the countries of the world today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The persecution in America is often churches
and ministers who deny the Scripture and try to force us to do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main-line churches in the United States
have largely given up belief in Salvation in Jesus Alone and the truth of all
of the Word of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus tells the saints under the altar to be patient – to
wait a little longer until the number of the saints – all the saints who have
been predestined to be slaughtered for their faith and witness to Jesus – have
been brought in as they were. Wait – there is a set number of saints who will
be slaughtered and brought under the altar, and then Jesus will reveal Himself
in all His Fullness.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">What
ought we do until every believer has been gathered together?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One commentator suggests: we ought to be
informed about the people suffering for Christ throughout the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ought to be empathetic with their
suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ought to pray for
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ought to support them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ought to go to them. (Joel Beeke).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We
have a regular offering envelope in our offering box for missions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently, four of us use them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can just put money in which will be sent
out to missions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may list a specific
mission you would like the money sent to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our missions giving is small, so we send it out at the end of each year.
Receipts and responses are posted on the missions’ board in Freeman Hall.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When the fifth seal is opened, John sees that beliers will
suffer persecution – some even to death – and as the blood was poured at the
base of the altar in the burnt sacrifice, so all believers will wait there
having been declared legally righteous, and looking forward to the last saint
being gathered in and the full attributes of Jesus being revealed to all the
world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then Jesus opens the sixth seal, and John sees the judgment
of every wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“When
he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake,
and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the
stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when
shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and
every mountain and island was removed from its place.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">With
the opening of the sixth seal, there is a great earthquake; there is a Divine
visitation. And we have to ask ourselves if these seven aspects of the created
order are to be taken literally or if they are part of the symbolism of the
book of Revelation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
first thing to take into account is that seven aspects of the created order are
named.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will remember that seven
symbolizes perfection and completion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are more than seven aspects of the created order, so the fact that
there are seven leads us to conclude that every aspect of Creation – the
complete Creation – will be shaken and fall and be disfigured in a negative
sense.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Isaiah
prophesies, “All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like
a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves
falling from the fig tree” (Isaiah 34:4, ESV). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
says, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the
beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had
not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the
elect those days will be cut short” (Matthew 24:21-22, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Immediately
after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will
not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the
heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">What
has been described here is made plain in the next section of our text.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Then
the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the
powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among
the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and
hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of
the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?’” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">What
Jesus tells John is seen in the seven aspects of Creation and then is shown in
the seven aspects of men and women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again, we are to understand that just as the imagery is given of the
overthrow – the revolution – of the created order, so every power of men and
women and in earth and hell will be overthrown by Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>From the great and the rich to the generals and the poor –
all those who have denied the Gospel – all those who never believe in Jesus as
God and Savior – will be confronted with Who Jesus is revealed to them, and
they run into caves and mountains – to any place they foolishly believe they
can escape God – and they cry out for the mountains and rocks and caves to
collapse on them and kill them before Jesus takes out His Wrath upon them –
again, foolishly thinking that being killed by the Creation would allow them
escape Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who persecuted
believers to their death will be confronted with the Face of Jesus, and they will
be horrified and plead for death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John – and we – are told in the sixth seal – that, though
Christians will suffer persecution and tribulation, the day will come when
Jesus brings down His Wrath in a cosmic revolution that brings judgement and
rights every wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All we who believe have been saved and made righteous
through the work of Jesus – we are gathered under the altar until all of the
elect have been received. Those who never believe will be overthrown and
eternally damned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What ought we do? Let us not be fooled by the riches and
power of this world, but keep our eyes focused on the Kingdom – on our being
brought into the presence of all the saints and Jesus – waiting for the
revolution that restores the Creation and rights every wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let us pray:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Almighty God, we thank You for showing us that though
tribulation and persecution will come on every Christian, we will be brought
into the fellowship of all believers waiting for the fullness of Your
Kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We thank You for showing us
that the wicked will not always be allowed to pursue their sin and persecute
Your people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help us to care for our brothers
and sisters in Christ who are suffering tribulation and give us confidence that
You have cut the days short for the elect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Keep us focused on the promise of our being brought into Your house, no
matter what degree of persecution we receive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In Jesus’ Name, Amen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-35859729973700621622024-01-28T07:32:00.001-05:002024-01-28T07:32:12.943-05:00"Who Is is Charge?" Sermon: Revelation 6:1-8 (video)<p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1k6KiINfnI">"Who Is in Charge?" Sermon: Revelation 6:1-8 (video) (youtube.com)</a></p><p><br /></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-44198843746850997122024-01-28T06:56:00.004-05:002024-01-28T06:56:54.934-05:00"Who Is in Charge?" Sermon: Revelation 6:1-8 (manuscript)<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Who
Is in Charge?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Revelation
6:1-8<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">1/28/24
YouTube<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As
we looked at chapter five of Revelation, we saw John’s vision of the throne of
God, the beings around the throne, and the worship that is given to God in
Trinity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chapter ends with the scene
of all of Creation being asked who can open the scroll with the seven seals,
and no one is initially found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then John
sees the Lion of Judah, the root of David, and the slain Lamb, Who is praised
as worthy to open the seals of the scroll.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As
we begin to look at the opening of the scrolls, it is important – as always –
to remember that the book of Revelation is a book written to comfort the
Christians of the first century who are suffering horribly for their faith, and
all Christians going forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus says
to the disciples, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have
peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome
the world” (John 16:33, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus is Sovereign over the chaos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Jesus says gives His people peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this life, believers will suffer for their
belief in Jesus – to various degrees – though we ought to be ready for the
worst tribulation but hold on to the peace that Jesus gives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the midst of the suffering, we will endure
for Jesus, we ought to take comfort in knowing that Jesus has overcome the
world and the suffering and the chaos that we endure. Paul writes, “Indeed, all
who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” (II
Timothy 3:12, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As we see the slain Lamb – the Lamb Who shed His blood
sacrificing Himself to pay the debt we owe God for our sin – we see the slain
and living Lamb open the first four seals. The opening of these seals show us
“The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” – as they are called together – popularly
– and in an attempt to terrify the very people that Jesus said to be at peace
and to take comfort – because no matter what horrible thing happens to us – and
evil will befall us – Jesus tells us to take comfort – He has triumphed over
the world and over the chaos – for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That doesn’t mean everything will be honey and roses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it does mean that Jesus is in charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The One Who loves everyone who will believe
throughout time and space. It does mean, as we will see, Jesus directs and
controls the horsemen to carry out His direction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Many of us will know some sort of horror story about the
four horsemen – like the boogeyman or the headless horseman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is something different from those
stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an image that is used
elsewhere – as in the book of Zechariah:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“On
the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month of Shebat, in
the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah,
the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying, ‘I saw in the night, and behold, a
man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen,
and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. Then I said, “‘What are
these, my lord?’” The angel who talked with me said to me, “‘I will show you
what they are’” (Zechariah 1:7-9, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Again
I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two
mountains. And the mountains were mountains of bronze. The first chariot had
red horses, the second black horses, the third white horses, and the fourth
chariot dappled horses—all of them strong” (Zechariah 6:1-3, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals,
and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “’Come!’”
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As the Lamb opens the first of the seals, one of the
seraphim speaks with the voice like thunder, calling the first horseman –
“Come!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was
given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We
will remember that white is the symbol for holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The color of the horse reflects the Rider of
the horse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rider of the horse is a
conqueror Who conquers, and a crown is given to Him. He is given the crown of
the winner of the athletic events – even the crown of royalty. These are given
to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">John
tells us who this is later in the book of Revelation:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Then
I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are
like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name
written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood,
and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of
heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white
horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the
nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress
of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he
has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:11-16, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As
we have noted before, the book of Revelation is a series of cyclical tellings
of the same story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ought not read the
book of Revelation straight through as a linear story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the same story told seven times with
different symbols and intensities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
sons of Korah sing of King David and forshadow the greater David, Jesus, Who
was to come and is to come, “In your majesty ride out victoriously for the
cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you
awesome deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the
peoples fall under you” (Psalm 45:4-5, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">What
is Jesus, the Rider on the white horse, doing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We
ought to note here that each of the riders are given something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is something that each rider has to be
given to accomplish his task – something that he does not innately have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the case of the Rider on the white horse –
Jesus – rather being born of normal human generation, He was given to be born by
the Holy Spirit, the Son of Mary and the Son of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is given to be both wholly God and wholly
human, indwelled by God the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
– in His life, death, resurrection, and ascension – conquered sin and death and
hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He because our Substitute before
God as the slain Lamb – Jesus is the Victory, the Conqueror, and He has made
all we who believe conquerors with Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
rides on through history on behalf of His people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is riding through the world and history to
spread to Gospel and comfort the Church in the midst of tribulation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other horses and their riders are to be
seen as part of the promise given to the Church of comfort – and victory – even
though there will be tribulation until the return of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
is the Rider on the white horse – the King – Who is the Lamb – and gives His
people comfort in Him as He leads us through the tribulation to eternity in His
conquest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Three horses and their horsemen follow Jesus, and Jesus is
in charge of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not need to be
afraid of them because we will never be separated from the love of Christ
Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“When
he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, ’Come!’ And
out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from
the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great
sword.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
second seraphim cries out with a loud voice – Come! – and the second horse and
his rider comes forth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This
is a disturbing promise – and it goes against those who teach that once we
believe in Jesus we will be healthy, wealthy – and wise – a lie.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This
is the persecution of the Church throughout time and space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Jesus gives the rider on the red horse permission
to slaughter – especially those of the Church – with a great sword.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would Jesus allow this?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
told the disciples, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.
I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man
against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law
against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own
household” (Matthew 10:34-36, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
promises: “As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him
privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the
sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘See
that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the
Christ,” and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors
of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is
not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and
there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the
beginning of the birth pains.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">‘Then
they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be
hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and
betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and
lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many
will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this
gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a
testimony to all nations, and then the end will come’” (Matthew 24:4-14, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Indeed,
all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” (II
Timothy 3:12, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">War,
bloodshed, and tribulation will come upon all true believers – to one extent or
another – to show Who this is Who saves His people for the due punishment of
their sins.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
red horse and his rider are symbolic of the tribulation – even to death – that
the Church will suffer before Jesus returns – like the tribulation the Church
was suffering then and that continues today. But be comforted:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all those who believe savingly in Jesus will
come through the tribulation into the Kingdom that is being prepared for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“When
he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come!’ And I
looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his
hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living
creatures, saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley
for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Again,
the third seraphim cries out, “Come!” and the black horse and his rider comes
forth. And he has been given a pair of scales.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
scales are not scales of truth or justice. The scales are the scales of
inflation that leads to famine. Inflation is when the money you have today buys
less than it did yesterday. Here we see that the rider on the black horse has
been given permission to cause extreme inflation so what we need to buy today –
not luxuries, but necessities – cost many times more than they did yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will lead to extreme poverty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here we see that one denarius will buy a quart of wheat,
and a denarius will buy three quarts of barley. Yesterday, one denarius bought
a quart of wheat flour, and a denarius bought three quarts of barley flour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, the same amount of money will not buy flour,
only the grain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same amount of money
will buy food that is worth less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Inflation. As it takes more money and more work to buy the necessities
of life, you slide into poverty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The oil and the wine can only be purchased by the super
rich.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus gives the rider of the black horse the power to cause
inflation to the point of famine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
the things that are necessary for life will be beyond the purchase of many.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yet, remember the words of Jesus to the Church in Pergamum,
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the
one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a
white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the
one who receives it” (Revelation 2:17, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“When
he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say,
‘Come!’ And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death,
and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the
earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild
beasts of the earth.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A fourth time, the fourth seraphim cries out, ‘Come!’ A
pale horse comes out and the rider’s name is death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is given the authority to kill one fourth
of the earth – twenty-five percent of the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is given the authority to kill with the
sword, famine, pestilence, and wild bests.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why? Why is he given the authority to kill one fourth of
the earth?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is he given the authority
to kill twenty-five percent of the earth?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We know due to the sin of our first parents, we will all
die unless Jesus returns first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, why
– here and now – are twenty-five percent of the earth given to the rider of the
pale horse to kill?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The answer is that twenty-five present is all Jesus allows
the rider of the pale horse to kill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember that Jeus is in charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus is always sovereign over all. Jesus is victorious over all. The
Lamb Who was slain is our God and King and Savior. He allows some of the Church
to be slaughtered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He allows some of the
Church to suffer extreme poverty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
allows some of the Church to die by sword and famine, and plaque, wild beasts,
and natural disasters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even so, we are persevered through the tribulation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger,
or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day
long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we
are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither
death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-37,
ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Christians can see the work of the four horsemen more
clearly that the rest of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We understand that all these things are happening under the
Sovereignty of the Triune God, and that knowledge should give us a God-centered
realism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God tells us all we need to know
for faith and salvation, and we understand that Jesus is in charge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let us pray:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Almighty God, when we look at the world around us, we can
be afraid at the wars and diseases and persecutions we see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Comfort us in knowing that You are in charge
of every molecule in all of Creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Help us to read about the four horsemen and see that Christians will
suffer until Jesus returns, yet, in His Sovereignty, He draws a line before the
horsemen and tells them, “This far and no further.” Everything that occurs
comes from the Hand of Him Who loves us – though we will suffer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Jesus’ Name, Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-53220921488814784402024-01-14T07:21:00.002-05:002024-01-14T07:21:36.834-05:00"The Throne, Pat 2" Sermon: Revelation 5:1-14 (video)<p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5pw9MEe2cg">"The Throne, Part 2" Sermon: Revelation 5:1-14 (video) (youtube.com)</a></p><p><br /></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-63030421211101002222024-01-14T06:47:00.001-05:002024-01-14T06:47:10.914-05:00"The Throne, Part 2" Sermon: Revelation 5:1-14 (manuscript)<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“The
Thone, Part 2”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Revelation
5:1-14<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">YouTube
January 14, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The last time we looked at the book of Revelation, we
looked at the initial vision John had of the Throne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw God the Father on the throne, Jesus at
His Right Hand, and the Holy Spirit before them – ready to go out into all the
world for the sake of the elect. We saw the twenty-four elders – symbolizing
the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles – all believers through time and space.
We saw the four creatures on their thrones – the seraphim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we saw that the creatures and the
twenty-four fell before the throne of the Triune God in worship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We continue in the Throne room and see there is a sealed
scroll that no mere human or creature can open.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Then
I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written
within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel
proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its
seals?’ And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open
the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was
found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It
was not unusual to write on both sides of a scroll to save paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scrolls were used for last wills and
testaments, records of history – the deeds of kings, and other important
information. This scroll is in the Right Hand of God the Father, and it is
sealed with seven seals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scrolls were
sealed in transit or to be saved for a future date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We remember that seven is symbolic of
completion. So, what would this scroll be?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Daniel
gives a clue:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he hears a voice speaking,
but he does not understand it, and we read: “I heard, but I did not understand.
Then I said, ‘O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?’ He said, ‘Go
your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the
end’” (Daniel 12:8-9, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ezekiel
records: “And when I looked, behold, a hand was stretched out to me, and
behold, a scroll of a book was in it. And he spread it before me. And it had
writing on the front and on the back, and there were written on it words of
lamentation and mourning and woe.” (Ezekiel 2:9-10, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Isaiah
is told of Jerusalem: “And the vision of all this has become to you like the
words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, ‘Read
this,’ he says, ‘I cannot, for it is sealed.’ And when they give the book to
one who cannot read, saying, ‘Read this,’ he says, ‘I cannot read’” (Isaiah
29:11-12, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Daniel
is told that the scroll has in it the outcome of these things.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ezekiel
is told that the scroll has words of lamentation, mourning, and woe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Isaiah
is told that the scroll is sealed to those who are unworthy or unable to open
it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This scroll is the history of the suffering and the
judgment of humans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the history of
what will come at the end of time when Jesus comes in Glory to bring His people
into His Kingdom, and for the eternal worship of God to commence by the mouth
of all those that have been saved and by the restored creation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What is written on this scroll is the history of humanity
and the response of each one who is brought into the Kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Paul writes, “For I consider that the
sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is
to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On the scroll is written the Sovereign Plan of God – the
book of the Reign of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But the seven seals – the seals that contain the fullness –
the completion – of the Plan of God cannot be opened by any mere human – no
sinner can open the seals on the holy and certain history enclosed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And John wept because he understood that he is a sinner who
cannot open the seals and read the scroll.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Second, one of the elders told John to stop weeping because
there is One Who can open the seals and read the scroll. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Notice quickly that this message is not given to John by
one of the angels, but by one of his fellow humans, because humans have
understanding of the works between God and man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As Peter writes: “Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied
about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring
what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he
predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed
to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have
now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by
the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look” (I
Peter 1:10-12, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep no more; behold,
the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he
can open the scroll and its seven seals.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And as Christians, we automatically
say, “Well, this is obviously Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and
the Root of David.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only problem is
that Jesus is never called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, nor the Root of
David. The closet we find to these names are found:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In Genesis: “Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you
have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who
dares rouse him?” (Genesis 49:9, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Isaiah records: “There shall come
forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear
fruit” (Isaiah 11:1, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Perhaps the parallels between the lion
and the root are technically enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
leave this here and accept Jesus as the fulfillment of the text.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And the elder says that the Lion and
the Root have the authority and ability to open the scroll and the seals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has conquered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has accomplished the ministry He is
given.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has ransomed the people of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has made the elect of God a Kingdom and
priests of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we read in the
opening of Revelation: “and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the
firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and
has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his
God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation
1:5-6, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Having been reassured of what the Lion
and the Root can do the image changes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And between the throne and the four
living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had
been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits
of God sent out into all the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the
throne.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Lion and the Root are gone and
John sees between the Throne of God and the seraphim and all of the believers
throughout time and space – in the fulfillment of the sacrificial system – he
sees a Lamb standing between them – a Lamb that had obviously been slain and
killed – though He is standing up among them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is a picture of the Gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John himself proclaimed, “The next day he saw
Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the
sin of the world!’ The next day again John was standing with two of his
disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb
of God!” (John 1:29, 35-36, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus is the Sacrificial Lamb – the
sinless and holy human Who is also God – so He is able to give Himself up as
the offering for all we who believe throughout time and space. Being a Slain
Lamb indicates that He is a sacrifice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As the author of Hebrews writes, “Indeed, under the law almost
everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is
no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And the lamb has seven horns and seven
eyes, and the seven eyes are the seven spirits that go throughout the earth.
Again, seven is complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Horns. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moses blesses the tribe of Joseph using the
symbol of the horn to mean strength and power. “A firstborn bull—he has
majesty, and his horns are the horns of a wild ox; with them he shall gore the
peoples,all of them, to the ends of the earth; they are the ten thousands of
Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh” (Deuteronomy 33:17, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Lamb has seven horns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has the completeness of power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is omnipotent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is none more powerful than the
Lamb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has all power.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Lamb has seven eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zechariah tells us, “For whoever has despised
the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand
of Zerubbabel. These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the
whole earth” (Zechariah 4:10, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The seven eyes of the Lamb are His
Omniscience. The Lamb can see all things everywhere at once.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Interestingly, we are reminded of the
seven spirits which we understand to mean the Holy Spirit. Here we are told
that the seven eyes are the seven spirits which are sent into the world at once.
The Holy Spirit is sent by the Lamb into the whole world seeing everything all
times at once as part of His ministry. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And the Lamb took the scroll from the
Hand of God the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can do so
because He is 100% God and 100% human in One Person Who gave Himself to pay the
debt for our sin, and Who rose from the dead, crediting His Righteousness and
Holiness to each one who believes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus,
He can take the scroll and open the seven seals of the scroll.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And when he had taken the scroll, the
four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb,
each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of
the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, ‘<a name="_Hlk156048710">Worthy
are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by
your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people
and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they
shall reign on the earth.’”<o:p></o:p></a></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk156048710;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When the Lamb takes the scroll, the
seraphim and every human believer falls down in worship before the Lamb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no question as to the identity of
the Lamb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each seraph and believer hold
a harp signifying heavenly worship and a golden bowl of incense, symbolizing
the prayers of the saints.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And they sang a new song:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 412.05pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Worthy are you to take the scroll and
to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people
for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made
them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why is this a new song?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is a new song – a most glorious song – because it reveals
Who the Savior is, how He will save His people, and what they will become
through salvation. This was not known by the angels, and it was not known by
the believers prior to the Lamb accomplishing His Work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a new song because it is new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reveals what they now know about Gods plan
for the salvation of His people. And it makes it clear that salvation is for the
people He ransomed from every tribe, language, people and nation. This
salvation is particular, not universal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And these people that are ransomed will reign over the
earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What can we say about this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some will say this is about the millennium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord willing, we will look at that in the
twentieth chapter of Revelation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For now, we can say every person that Jesus ransoms from
the Wrath of God for our sins will reign on the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we saw before the ransomed will be a
kingdom of priests.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Third, our response and the response of every living
creature is to worship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the
living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of
myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Notice who is worshipping the Triune God: all of the
seraphim, all of the believers, and many myriads of myriads and thousands of
thousands – an incalculable number of angels. Every creature that exists, and
especially the believers that Jesus has ransomed, cry out in their loudest
voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and
wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Can we conceive of this at all?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Worth of the Lamb Who shed His Blood for
us – all that He is worthy of – all that we ought to give to Him and to have in
response and correct use to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and
under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To him who
sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might
forever and ever!’ And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ and the elders
fell down and worshiped.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Paul writes, “For the creation waits with eager longing for
the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility,
not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation
itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom
of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has
been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the
creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan
inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies”
(Romans 8:19-23, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Paul writes of a time when all of Creation – your cats and
dogs, goldfish and whales, deer and bison, hawks and goldfinches, and every
other creature – whether living now or waiting for the return of the Lamb of
God – it will be freed from the corruption that we brought it into in the
Garden and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God with –
at the same time – that believers are redeemed and restored in the redemption
of our bodies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Can we imagine what a day it will be when we worship before
the Lamb and our Triune God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can we hear
every believer and every seraph and every angel and every bear, pig, ant, and
crab bow at the feet of the Lamb, our Redeemer, and Praise Him forever for Who
He is? Can we put it any better than the vision John received that day?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is a scroll with seals on it that no mere mortal can
open, But Jesus, the Son of God, the Lion of Judah, the Root of Jesse, the
Sacrificed Lamb opened it, revealing the whole plan and history of God. Knowing
this is true and we have been redeemed gives us hope and every reason to
worship Him on and throughout infinity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let us pray:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Almighty God, we thank You for this vision of the Lion Who
is the Lamb, Who chose to shed Hs Blood to redeem us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us begin to worship Him now and always
for Who He is and what He has done, for He is Worthy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-33079044362175611002024-01-06T15:21:00.003-05:002024-01-06T15:21:58.720-05:00Review: "God Crowns His Own Gifts"<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">God
Crowns His Own Gifts: Augustine, Grace, and the Monks of Hadrumetum </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">by
Ian Hugh Clary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Based
primarily on two letters Augustine wrote, the author looks at the growth in Augustine’s
understanding in his view of grace and free will. Early on, Augustine had a
more flexible understanding which allowed for human free which will change God’s
plan. Later on, as he debated the Arians, he came out strongly in favor of
Absolute Predestination.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
Monks of Hadrumetum were one group that Augustine had contact with that did not
understand and embrace his change in views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If the scholarly debates came from the theologian Augustine, then the
explanation given to the monks was pastoral instruction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In
recent years, there has been an argument put forth that ministers are to be
pastor/theologians, both being involved in the academy and in the ministry
among the people of the church. In this, pastors grow in knowledge and in
grace. A minister who only lives in books is lacking in ability to minister, as
is the person who only lives in social problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Take Augustine to learn what it means to be a pastor/theologian,<o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-67906826425127038392024-01-06T14:40:00.006-05:002024-01-06T14:45:02.010-05:00Review: "When in Rome"<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">When
In Rome </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">by Ngaio Marsh is billed as one of her best
novels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reluctantly disagree;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Ngaio
Marsh made a real trip to Rome so she would be able to correctly portray the
workings of the Italian police and to describe the buildings and art around –
she was not very impressed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Inspector
Alleyn takes a trip to Rome as part of a group travelling on vacation. One of
the vacationers is murdered and in Alleyn’s attempt to find the killer – which he
does – he also gets mixed up with a drug ring.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I
think my difficulty with the novel is its being place oriented and less people
and discussion oriented<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I
will continue to read Marsh’s books – I have enjoyed them quite a lot
overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this one was not for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-66696432126883080312023-12-31T07:30:00.001-05:002023-12-31T07:30:08.112-05:00"The Throne, Part 1" Sermon: Revelation 4:1-11 (video)<p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1erujkSOuHQ">"The Throne, Part 1" Sermon: Revelation 4:1-11 (video) (youtube.com)</a></p><p><br /></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-88140293454410928182023-12-31T06:57:00.002-05:002023-12-31T06:57:52.845-05:00"The Throne, Part 1" Sermon: Revelation 4:1-11 (manuscript)<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“The
Throne, Part 1”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Revelation
4:1-11<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">December
31, 2023 YouTube<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We have looked at the seven churches of the book of
Revelation. Jesus’ evaluation of them, and His words to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were seven real, historical churches in
what we now call Turkey, and the words to them apply to every church, minister,
and Christian throughout time and space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After looking at the seven churches – where John is shown
the sufferings of the churches and the Christians in them, John moves into the
main part of the letter which is the book of Revelation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As we move forward, let’s notice something about the
structure of the book. In my experience, there is an idea that the book of
Revelation is a single telling of one prophecy that we read from chapter one
through chapter twenty-two, and that is how it will all come to pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem with reading it that way is the
text presents trials of the Church and then judgment and the Second Coming,
then the trials and the Second Coming, then the trials and the Second
Coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, what we see in the text
of the book of Revelation is seven cycles of the same story being told with
different imagery and with increasing intensity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book of Revelation is the telling of a
prophecy in seven different ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
book of Revelation does not teach through a straight line but through seven
cycles of the same prophecy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seven
times, we will remember, indicating completion and perfection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Chapters four and five of the book of Revelation are a
vision of the throne and throne room of God. We look at chapter four today
having heard what Jesus says to the seven churches.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First, we see the throne and the thrones.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“After
this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In
John’s day, there was great persecution against the church, and we saw that the
church in Laodicea had become lukewarm, yet Jesus stood outside the church –
not trying to get people to convert, but waiting for the believers left in the
church to repent of their sin and to be filled with zeal by the Holy Spirit,
the door again being open.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And the first voice, which I had heard
speaking to me like a trumpet, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what
must take place after this.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">John
hears the voice and is told that he will now see how things truly are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will not merely hear about what is true,
but he will see what is and what must take place “after this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Remember
that Revelation is written in symbolic language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we are told that John goes up into
heaven, how are we to take that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul
writes, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he
loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with
Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us
with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:4-6, ESV). We
are already seated in the heavenly places.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“At
once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated
on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian,
and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
God Who appears to John has the appearance of stones that are found on the
clothing of the priests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More will be
explained about this in chapter twenty-one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And the rainbow like an emerald ought to remind us of the creation of
the rainbow when Noah departed from the Ark and God gave it as a sign of the
covenant between God and man that God would never again destroy all the world
with water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More generally, it refers to
the covenant that God has made with believers through Jesus for our salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ezekiel
describes a similar encounter and his response:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in
appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a
likeness with a human appearance. And upward from what had the appearance of
his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed
all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it
were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. Like the
appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the
appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the
likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I
heard the voice of one speaking” (Ezekiel 1:26-28, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
picture we are given of God is that He is Sovereign – Absolutely Sovereign –
over all things, and this One True God is worthy of all worship now and
forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ought to have the door open,
our faces to the floor filled with zeal to worship and to act according to the
will and the enabling of the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
there are more thrones:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Around
the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four
elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
throne of God sits in the center of twenty-four other thrones – or the throne
of God is surrounded by twenty-four other thrones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On each of the thrones, there is an elder.
The twenty-four elders are the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The twenty-four elders are the carrying of
the covenant from the Old Testament into the New Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Paul explains, the believers of the Old
Testament are united with the believers in the New Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together, they are the Israel of God. These
are all believers throughout time and space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In
the symbols of the twenty-four thrones with the twenty-four elders, we see that
they wear white – they are purified and holy, and they wear golden crowns –
they have finished the race by the power of the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
they are alive and on thrones, so believers are alive after death and are
reigning now as we all wait for the Second Coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as we already saw Paul say, we believers
who alive now on earth are reigning now with Christ, united with Him and all
other believers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“From
the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and
before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven
spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like
crystal.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">From
the throne of God comes sights and sounds and feelings of unsteadiness – does
this sound familiar?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Moses prepared
to ascend to receive the Ten Commandments, we read, “On the morning of the
third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain
and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled” (Exodus
19:16, ESV).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even as believers, we ought
to remember that coming before God is a serious thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the author of Hebrews writes, “It is a
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Before
the throne are seven burning torches which are the seven spirits of God – and
we have already seen that the seven spirits are a symbol for the Holy Spirit,
and the seven burning torches are also symbols for the Holy Spirit. (These are
not the seven lampstands which are the churches.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the Holy Spirit is before the throne –
not because He is less than God the Father and God the Son, but He is in
readiness to go forward to do His work as the Third Person of the Trinity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
before the throne is a sea of glass, like crystal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “sea” is normally the symbol for chaos,
and it may be here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some commentators
say that this may be symbolic for the waters of ceremonial washing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an issue we will leave here. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Second, the four living creatures.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full
of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second
living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man,
and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ezekiel
gives a similar description of four creatures:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“As
I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with
brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of
the fire, as it were gleaming metal. And from the midst of it came the likeness
of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human
likeness, but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. Their legs
were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf’s foot.
And they sparkled like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides
they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus: their
wings touched one another. Each one of them went straight forward, without
turning as they went. As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human
face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face
of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle. Such were
their faces. And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two
wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their
bodies” (Ezekiel 1:4-11, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We will remember from Isaiah’s call to the ministry:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“In
the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and
lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the
seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he
covered his feet, and with two he flew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of
hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!’” (Isaiah 6:1-3, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And John tells us:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“’And the four living creatures, each of them with six
wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never
cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and
is to come!’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The four living creatures are seraphim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are angels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are specifically told that they are angels
that surround the throne of the Almighty God and confess Him as holy, holy,
holy – as we have seen – in biblical writing, emphasis is shown by repetition,
and repetition to the third time is the greatest of all, God is the Most Holy
there can possibly be, and so the seraphim worship and praise God as the Most
Holy possible, He Who is and was and will forever be – there is not and cannot
be any greater than He.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But why four?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are
there only four seraphim? There’s no reason to believe that – especially since
the number four is symbolic for fullness or wholeness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, all of the seraphim praise God for Who He
is – especially in His Holiness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Third, the response of worship.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and
thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the
twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship
him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne,
saying, ‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and
power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were
created.’” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God is on His throne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The four living creatures – the seraphim – are around the throne – praising
God in the highest for Who He is and forever will be – the Holiest of Holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The twenty-four elders – the believers of Israel
and the Gentile nations – the patriarchs and the apostles – every Christian throughout
time and space – they fall on their faces before God and worship Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gid is the Almighty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God is Exalted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is
Glorious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is Eternal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is Holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God Himself is the basis for all of our worship, and we worship Him by
casting our crowns before Him – by acknowledging that everything we have and
are – all the things we have been brought through by the Power of God Himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s Sovereignty is the basis of all of our
worship. All of these are nothing before the One True God Who is Worthy, and so
they, as we, throw our crowns before Him Who is Greater.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The believers in John’s day needed to hear this as they
endured great trials and times of woe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By focusing on Who God is and worshipping Him always, believers can
rejoice in Him always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that trials
and woes are not painful or cause us to wail, but, in our hearts, we know Jesus
has saved us and no matter what happens to us and our fellow Christians, God is
worthy of worship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That is not said easily or flippantly, Suffering and trials
can be overwhelming, and they would destroy us if we did not know Who our God
and Savior is.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So let us focus on Him Who sits on the throne, surrounded
by the elders and the creatures – all of whom fall down and worship – throwing
everything aside for knowing the Holy, Holy, Holy God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us focus on what He has done and all He
has promised to His people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us
remember and trust Him for our futures and our lives. Let us find the joy of
our lives in worshipping our Triune God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let us worship the Almighty God Who loves us, even as we suffer and
endure trials, and the evil that is coming tries to get us to turn away from
Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let us know that we have already
been delivered by our God and Savior.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let us pray:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As we continue our look at the book of Revelation, we thank
You for the visions You gave John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
thank You that, although evil and trials and woes are real, we are Yours and
already reigning with You.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We thank You
that – seven times – You do not hide the suffering that has come and is coming,
yet You also show – as many times – that You have already delivered us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so, we worship You – You Who are Worthy –
You Who sit on the throne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Jesus’
Name, Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-29706555210412021752023-12-25T07:08:00.004-05:002023-12-25T07:08:30.973-05:00"Rejoice" Sermon: Luke 2:1-20 (video)<p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsrqUILdxiY">"Rejoice" Sermon: Luke 2:1-20 (video) (youtube.com)</a></p><p><br /></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-76508315333670121842023-12-25T06:31:00.004-05:002023-12-25T07:09:03.968-05:00"Rejoice" Sermon: Luke 2:1-20 (manuscript)<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Rejoice”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">[Luke
2:1-20]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">December
24, 2023 Second Reformed Church<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Thursday, I went to the bank,
and there were two young men behind me – perhaps in their thirties, and the one
young man said to the other, “I’m so sick of Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not going to celebrate Christmas next
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this buying gifts for
everybody is robbing me dry.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I regret that I did not say
anything, but I stood there thinking:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he really thinks he has to give
everybody gifts, he is not gift-giving; he’s fulfilling a perceived
obligation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because no one has to give a
gift – in order for a gift to be a gift, it has to be given – just because you
want to – not under any obligation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s why we don’t call our pay checks a “gift.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our pay checks are not gifts – they’re
obligations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I give you a gift, you should
not feel under any obligation to give me a gift – and so forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gifts are given freely out of joy – if they
are truly gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And our gifts – I like the whole
thing of gifts – especially “just because” – giving a gift because it gave me
joy to give it and there was no specific date or reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And our gifts – to an extent – mirror the
gifts of God – and especially the Greatest Gift that we especially think of at
this time of year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He is a gift – John wrote, “For
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in
him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, ESV).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God the Father loved the world and gave His
Son to Incarnate – to put on human flesh – because it gave Him joy to save a
people for Himself through the work of His enfleshed Son.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is the Creator of everything
that is, but in the Incarnation, God experienced being in the womb, His body’s
growth, being expelled through the birth canal, experiencing the impact of His
Creation on human senses, and needing help to eat and clean up after digestion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Paul wrote, “Christ Jesus, who,
though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be
grasped, but emptied himself, by taking on the form of a servant, being born in
the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5b-6, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Almighty God – in His Joy –
came to earth in the Person the Son – becoming enfleshed in the person of Jesus
of Nazareth – and for those years, He put aside the glory that was due Him – He
kept the radiance of His Glory – except for a few glimpses – aside, and become
eternally enfleshed – the One Member of the Godhead Who is also a human – and
was not ashamed to put on swaddling clothes as a gift for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our text today, we see that the
result of receiving a gift should be rejoicing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gifts ought to humble us and cause us to give thanks and praise to God
and should fill us with joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luke opens this text in joy:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“In
those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be
registered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the first
registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all went to be registered, each to his
own town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Joseph also went up from
Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is
called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be
registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while they were there, the time came for
her to give birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she gave birth to
her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger
because there was no place for them in the inn.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We
remember that Luke was a historian – as well as a doctor – and he gives names
and places, so, as his gospel is read, people could check what he said and
confirm that it is all true – it all happened when he said and where he said
and how it came to pass.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
Luke draws his line for the date of Jesus’ birth:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>when Augustus Caesar reigned, crossed with
when Quirinius was governor of Syria, crossed with the first census – the first
registration – he took.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
Luke tells us that Joseph and Mary went – with everyone else – to the ancestral
home of the husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this case, even
though they were living in Nazareth in Galilee – which is why Jesus would be
called, Jesus of Nazareth – they went to his ancestral home – coming from the
line of King David, from the city of Bethlehem in Judea.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
here we see that flashing light of joy – the people of Luke’s day<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>would have heard the prophecy:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too
little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth from me one
who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from old, from ancient
days” (Micah 5:2, ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And,
“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his
roots shall bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As
Luke draws these historical lines, we can hear the joyful refrain underneath:
“He was born in Bethlehem!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was born
in Bethlehem!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
then we have the very subtle announcement: “And while they were there, the time
came for her to give birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she gave
birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in
a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Perhaps
so subtle at this point to give us the joy of knowing that the Savior is a
human being, born of a human woman, born in the human way, born in the place
that was available for them when the time came to pass.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
Savior is human like us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Savior
understands what it is to be human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Savior can legally take our place before the Father as our Substitute –
rejoice!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Second,
the angels came rejoicing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over
their flock by night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And an angel of
the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and
they were filled with great fear.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Picture
the scene:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you are out in the hills and
pastures, feeding your sheep with some of the other shepherds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are guiding the sheep along, making sure
they don’t fall into a hole, or wander off into the woods, watching out for any
predators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s night, and all is quiet,
except for the baa-ing of the sheep.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
then – in a split second – the sky is filled with the bright and weighty light
of the Glory of God, and the angel of the Lord appears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you and your fellow shepherds are down on
the ground shaking.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great
joy that will be for all the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this will be a sign for
you:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you will find a baby wrapped in
swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And,
as angels are want to do, the angel of the Lord said, “Fear not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got good news of great joy which is for
every type of person who ever exists.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
first good news is that the angel wasn’t there to kill them – or you, if you
are still playing along.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
second good news is something so great and so joyful that it will be received
as great and joyful by every type of person – Jews and Gentiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if the shepherds had a moment to think,
they probably wondered what good news would be a great joy for every type of
person?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">But
the angel told them:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Savior has been
born in Bethlehem and He is God, the Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And He is a human baby, and you will find him in swaddling cloths in a
manger.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Again,
if they had a moment to think:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Savior has been born!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He is God and
He is human and He is a baby?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Maybe
not – maybe they would have remembered what the prophet said, “Behold, the
virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name, Immanuel”
(Isaiah 7:14b, ESV). Which means, “God with us.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God
and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and one earth peace among those with
whom he is pleased!’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As
this good news begins to sink into their minds, the angels break forth in
praise – they can’t hold back any more – the angels rejoice from one end of the
sky to another.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Luke
tells us there was a multitude of hosts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Multitude and host are synonyms for a massive number – so a massive
number of massive numbers of angels appeared praising God, glorifying God –
rejoicing in God – that with the birth of this Baby, Who is God, everyone with
whom God makes peace is at peace.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Remember,
we have said the greatest question – the biggest problem for humanity – is to
find out how to be right with God – because it makes all the difference for all
of eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And here, the angels
announce that God is going to make a people right with Himself – from every
type of person – Jew and Gentile – God is going to make a people right with
Himself by Himself through the Savior, God the Son, Who had just been born on
that first Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
the angels were filled with joy for the Gift that God had given and was giving
for the results it would have for all those who would ever believe. Salvation
was made for the people of God in the birth of Jesus – rejoice!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Third,
the shepherds rejoiced.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“When
the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,
‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the
Lord has made known to us.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they
went and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when they saw it, they made known the
saying that had been told them concerning the child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all who heard it wondered at what the
shepherds told them, but Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in
her heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been
told them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
shepherds took the gift of the knowledge of the birth of the Savior and they
went to see it for themselves – to see that it was true – to see the thing that
God told them had happened.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
they went and found Mary and Joseph and Jesus in the manger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they told them about the angels and what
they had said – that Jesus is God in the flesh come to make a people right with
God of His own accord – and how they saw innumerable angels and the Glory of
God and how the angels praised God and glorified Him for what He had done in
sending Jesus to make all those who would believe right with God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
the shepherds were so full of joy, when they went from the manger – they kept
rejoicing – and they told everyone they met about what had happed and what they
had seen in Bethlehem – the birth of the Gift of Love from the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such great news they had to keep
telling people – telling people –<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
the people who they told wondered about what they said:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was it true?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did the shepherds really see the angel of the Lord and the Glory of God
and the heavens explode with angels praising and glorifying God for sending the
Savior?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did they really see the Savior
in Bethlehem?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is He really here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is every type of person now able to be right
with God?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
we might wonder about the people who wondered:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>how many of them went to check the story?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many of them came to believe that the
shepherds told the truth – the angels announced the birth of the Savior – and
He is the Man, Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
shepherds were convinced – and they couldn’t keep quiet:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God the Savior has come as a baby!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rejoice!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Fourth,
Mary rejoiced.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When
Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, she sang, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estates of
his servant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For behold, from now on all
generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things
for me, and holy is his name” (Luke 1:46b-49, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Over
the past nine months, Mary had showed herself devoted and humble, a woman who
sought to serve her God whatever it may entail.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She
rejoiced in hearing the words of the angel and the words of Elizabeth, and now,
with that peaceful humility she rejoiced and quietly received the words of the
shepherds – and we are told she “pondered them in her heart” – literally, “she
carefully stored them away in her heart – in the deepest part of her being” –
all of this – something to have joy about and to recount and ponder anew – and
rejoice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Throughout
her life, Mary looked back on these words and these occurrences and rejoiced!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Did
buying Christmas presents rob your wallet dry?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Perhaps
you should give less presents next year and focus on the Gift that God gave to
all those who will believe – the way to be right with God through His Son.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">If
you have received this Gift of God – if you have been made right with God
through Jesus – focus on rejoicing in Him – giving Him the praise and the
glory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
then, as you are joy-filled, you may find yourself rejoicing and giving gifts
to others – especially the gift of the knowledge of Jesus and His salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Rejoice!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Let
us pray:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Almighty
God, we rejoice and give You thanks for loving us and sending Your Son that
first Christmas that we would be made right with You through Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help us to stay focused on this truth and
joyfully let others know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For it is in
Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-5053835042038263202023-12-17T07:00:00.001-05:002023-12-17T07:00:07.896-05:00"Laodicea" Sermon: Revelation 3:14-22 (video)<p> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKhGclwNxZw">"Laodicea" Sermon: Revelation 3:14-22 (video) (youtube.com)</a></p><p><br /></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-44592446921922512312023-12-17T06:27:00.000-05:002023-12-17T06:27:44.625-05:00"Laodicea" Sermon: Revelation 3:14-22 (manuscript)<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Laodicea”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Revelation
3:14–22<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">December
17, 2023 YouTube<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The final letter in the book of Revelation is to the church
in Laodicea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may be the church we
are most familiar with – at least in passing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The images that come to mind of Jesus spewing, spitting, vomiting the
church out, and of Jesus standing at the door and knocking, and of this church
being the one that Jesus has no praise for are ones we may remember. There have
also been songs written about the church in Laodicea.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Laodicea is forty-five miles southeast of Philadelphia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laodicea is in the Lycus valley with
Hierapolis and Colossae.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was funded
by Antiochus II and named after his wife, Laodice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laodicea was known for its extraordinary
wealth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was located at the intersection
of three highways, and it was the location of the regional banking center, boasted
a first-rate medical center specializing in diseases of the eye, and was the
garment center of the region.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The only negative was that Laodicea didn’t have any natural
source of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hierapolis had hot
springs, and Colossae had ice cold waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, Laodicea had water piped in from Hierapolis, and during the trip,
the water cooled down to become foul, lukewarm water.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On to the letter:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The
words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s
creation.’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One more time in the letters to the churches, we are given
additions to the picture of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus is the Amen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus is the “so be it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is
the confirmation of everything that has been and is and will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing has, was, or will be other than what
Jesus ordains in His Sovereignty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus is the faithful and true witness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we saw last week, this language is
referring to Jesus being an exact representation of reality – not just the opposite
of false and unfaithful.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus is the beginning of God’s creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John tells us, “In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning
with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing
made that was made” (John 1:1-3, ESV). Jesus is Himself, God, the Sovereign
Creator.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would
that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot
nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus uses the example of their water problem to describe them.
Hierapolis has hot water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colossae has
cold water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the hot water travels
from <a name="_Hlk153446815">Hierapolis </a>to Laodicea, the water becomes foul
and lukewarm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
tells the church in Laodicea that she is neither hot nor cold, and He wishes
they were either hot or cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they
were hot – they would be “on fire” for Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If they were cold and dead, Jesus could raise them from the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they are lukewarm – what is Jesus to do
with that?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Have
you ever turned on the faucet to get a drink, and you have it in a position
where the water comes out lukewarm, and you take a drink and then spit it out?
The church in Laodicea wasn’t good for anything but spitting out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus, the Almighty God, says the only thing
He can do with them – where they are – is spit them out in disgust.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
knows the works of this church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have
a high estimation of themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
satisfied in their sin and oblivious to it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“‘For
you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that
you are <a name="_Hlk152416403">wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked</a>.’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
church in Laodicea looked at themselves – they were rich, they prospered, they
didn’t think they needed anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were just like the culture around them. They thought if they were rich and
prosperous that they didn’t have any needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God must love them and be satisfied with them, because they have
everything anyone could ever want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
had a church that reflected their city – wealthy, well-groomed, educated, acceptable,
enjoyable people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church offered all
the functions that the YMCA and the schools did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a pool and a basketball court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They offered a lunch program and after school
care. And on Sunday, if there wasn’t a game, or if they weren’t too tired, or if
they didn’t have something else to if, they gathered together to hear the Word
of God which is the basis, they thought, for understanding that if everything
is coming up roses, God must be pleased with them – very pleased in deed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were, in fact, self-righteous.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Peter
writes, “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe
yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the
proud but gives grace to the humble’” (I Peter 5:5, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
tells them that they may have the best of everything the world has to offer,
but they were oblivious to their spiritual needs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“As
far as your spiritual needs, you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">What
would the response be if you went to your elders and told them that the pastor
is <a name="_Hlk153443998">wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked as far as
his spiritual understanding and life are concerned</a>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially if the church was wealthy,
well-respected, and fit in with the culture perfectly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if you said that, even so, the church is
wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked as far as spiritual understanding
and life are concerned to your elders about the church?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
point is that the church is not to be like the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should not try to be like the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is not to say that the church cannot do some
of the things the world does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if the
church is not different from the world, separate from the world, a witness
against the world and to salvation in Jesus Alone, we are not a biblical church.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It’s
fine to be part of a band, or be in a choir, or be in a theater group, or play
sports, or provide food for people, or help people get housing, and so on and
so on, but if we are not preaching and teaching the Word of God Alone, praying,
receiving the sacraments, evangelizing, and having fellowship and showing hospitality
to the Christians in our local church, we are not a church, but a copy – and
probably a poor one – of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
church must be different and proclaim the message of salvation that she alone
can proclaim.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Paul
writes, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has
righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with
an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the
temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and
walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore
go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no
unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you
shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty’” (II Corinthians
6:14–18, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
church in Laodicea made Jesus nauseous. Do we make Jesus nauseous?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
tells them it is not quite too late for them to turn back to following Him
faithfully. Jesus counsels them to do three things:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“I
counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and
white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness
may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Do
we see how Jesus distinguishes between the church and the world?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Laodicea
was a wealthy city, but it was not the wealth that is found in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Jesus tells them to buy from Him gold
refined by fire – and in that you will be rich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not the riches of the world, but the riches of being in Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Laodicea
was the garment center of the area, but those garments were meaningless in being
a Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Jesus tells them to buy
white garments – remember white symbolizes purity and holiness – and the shame
of their nakedness will not be seen – because sin is covered in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Laodicea
had a world renown hospital with special treatments for the eyes, but those
salves could not open a person’s spiritual eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Jesus says to buy salve from Him, so they
would have spiritual sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once they
were blind, but now they see.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Those
whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Notice,
despite Jesus saying He was ready to spit them out of His mouth, He tells them
that He loves them, and since He loves them, He reproves and disciplines them
and commands them to repent of their sin and to become zealous for the Gospel –
to become like the water of </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Hierapolis – be
zealous for Jesus – don’t just sit in the pews and be happy with the world and
what you think of yourself – be hot, boiling – show the world that Jesus and
His salvation is more important than anything and everything else in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Then
we have a very familiar text, and we may have even seen the painting reflecting
this text.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard it preached on
in two different ways, both of which are wrong:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Behold,
I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I
will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Both
of the wrong ways to interpret this text is to see it as an evangelistic text –
that it is about Jesus at the door of the heart of an unbeliever asking to be invited
into the unbeliever’s heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
first way is basically what we have just said – Jesus – wanting to save each
person – goes to the door of that person’s heart and knocks, waiting and hoping
that He will be let in – saving the person.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Thes
second way – a way I have not heard as frequently, thankfully – is not like the
painting, but it is the idea that Jesus is outside the door of the unbeliever’s
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is in ratty clothes and
crying, hoping that the person will let Jesus in so Jesus will be healed by
healing – saving – the unbeliever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">That
is not what this text is saying.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
first thing to notice is that Jesus is not knowing at the door of an unbelieving
heart – He is knocking at the door of the Laodicean church which is on the
verge of having its candlestick removed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jesus
is knocking at the door of the church --- having told them to repent and become
boiling hot for Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is waiting
to see who in the church will repent and become boiling for Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not a matter of their becoming
Christians, but of their repenting and becoming zealous for Jesus and His
gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And,
to those who open the door and repent and become zealous for Jesus, Jesus will
eat with him and he with Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Commentators
say that Jesus is saying He will eat the Lord’s Supper with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus will be united to those – who are Christian
but change the way they are living – through the receiving of the bread and the
cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is spiritually present in the
bread and the cup, and all true believers are united with Jesus as we receive
the elements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Jesus is saying that
after they have been disciplined and repented for their sin, Jesus will
reassert His spiritual union with them as they join together in eating the
elements.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“The
one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also
conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Who
is the one who conquers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one who has
been loved by Jesus to salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
will remember this familiar passage:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For
your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be
slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him
who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers,
nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39, ESV).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
believers in the church in Laodicea who repent of equating being right with God
– being saved in Jesus – with wealth and being like the world – they are
conquerors over sin because Jesus loves them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In
the same way, Jesus loves us and tells us not to measure our being a Christian,
and being mature in the faith, and being loved by any measure other than zealous
faith and the reception of Jesus’ love through God the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And
so, Jesus tells the Laodiceans that they will sit on Jesus’ throne, just as
Jesus sits on the throne of His Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>True believers will be given power and authority – under God – in the
Kingdom that is to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The throne
symbolizes kingship, power, and authority.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">If
we have a big church, a wealthy church, a church that is well thought of, a
church that provides all kinds of programs, a church that believes it is so
right in God’s eyes that He is blessing them hand over fist, it doesn’t
necessarily mean anything about the church’s health spiritually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may be going through the motions and
trying to be like the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may be a
church that Jesus is getting ready to spew out of His mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Let
us examine ourselves and our churches and see whether we are preaching the Word
of God Alone and obeying all that God has said and believing savingly in Jesus,
the Only Savior.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Finally,
we end with a call to the church in Laodicea, the seven churches of Revelation,
and all the churches throughout time and space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“He
who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let us pray:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Almighty God, we can get quite satisfied with who we are in
Your Sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgive us for believing our
faithfulness is found in our approval before the world and in our feeling good
about ourselves spiritually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help us to
open the door so You would come in and share the bread and the cup with
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cause the Holy Spirit to set us on
fire with zealousness for You.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And cause
us to grow in faith and obedience now and until the day Jesus returns and
brings us into the New Jerusalem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
Jesus’ Name, Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-88259972682682297642023-12-15T14:07:00.000-05:002023-12-15T14:07:07.680-05:00Review: "Jesus Wins"<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">One
of the books I read (as I am preaching through Revelation) is <i>Jesus Wins: The
Good News of the End Times </i>by Dayton Hartman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Hartman
says that arguing about eschatology solves nothing. One just needs to know that
eschatology is to be understood as a return to Eden. The Kingdom begins with
the Church, and we are already seated with Christ in the heavenly places.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He
goes on to explain the different millennial views, and he puts for the eschatological
view of the ecumenical creeds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He
concludes that when Jesus returns, He wins.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He
has a first appendix with suggested reading, a second with the Athanasian
Creed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he has endnotes and a bibliography.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I
did not find this book helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides saying
that Jesus wins in the end, there is no solid, coherent argument for what that
means or how it comes to pass.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-40608770997235698832023-12-15T13:49:00.004-05:002023-12-15T13:49:56.388-05:00Review: "Scales of Justice"<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Scales
of Justice</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> a Roderick Alleyn mystery by Ngaio Marsh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
scales of a trout are as different as human fingerprints are from each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the scales of the great Old’un trout
laying next to the body of Colonel Cartarette. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A
quaint small town of people with old money is put out when someone murders Colonel
Cartarette.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Inspector
Alleyn comes to investigate, and everyone is put off by his questioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually, he identifies the killer, though
the townsfolk are still annoyed and just want him to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A
great mystery with a town of people you’ll remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though it will annoy them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19452097.post-86166638242109554352023-12-15T13:36:00.001-05:002023-12-15T13:36:27.954-05:00Review: "The Heart of the Reformation"<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I
recently finished using, <i>The Heart of the Reformation: A 90 Day Devotional
on the Five Solas </i>by Ligonier Ministries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">For
those who may be unaware, the “Five Solas” are five “Alone” statements that
were – and are – foundational to the Reformation and the Reformed understanding
of Christianity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are <i>Sola
Scriptura</i> (Scripture Alone), <i>Solus Christus </i>(Christ Alone), <i>Sola
Gratia</i> (Grace Alone), <i>Sola Fide</i> (Faith Alone), and <i>Soli Deo
Gloria</i> (to the Glory of God Alone).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Each
of these five are explored through Scripture and devotional reading. The
devotional is divided into five sections or collections of readings. Each day’s
devotion begins with a Scripture that presents the <i>sola</i> in the section being
explored. Then there is a reflection on the text including an explanation of
how the text shows the truth of the <i>sola</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the side of each reading are four of five
readings “for addition study.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As
someone who believes that the <i>solas</i> are biblical and taught throughout the
Scripture, I had my understanding and belief in them supported and
widened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would recommend this
devotional to every Christian, whether Reformed or not.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
two things that I hope will change in future editions of this devotional
are:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to publish the text in a larger
font.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found it on the difficult side
to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, and even more importantly,
each section is divided by a light green page with white text on it, which I
found almost unreadable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The combination
of colors doesn’t work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: center 3.5in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">So,
put on your reading glasses and learn more about the Scriptural doctrines
explored in this devotional.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05558504416289495142noreply@blogger.com0